Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Florida) - abroad from 06/12/2014 to 07/26/2014 with

IES Abroad: Sydney - Study Australia Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a whole new outlook on life and I picked up a lot of small skills that I have been able to apply to my everyday life. Living in a foreign country forces you to examine your home culture from an outsider's perspective, and that was a really eye-opening experience for me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $130
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Avoid eating at restaurants as much as possible -- this includes fast food. Cooking at home will save you a lot of money. Also, keep in mind that almost everything is more expensive in Australia. Don't expect to do a lot of recreational shopping unless you have plenty of cash to spare.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Red Centre excursion
  • Helpful staff
  • Housing was conveniently located
* What could be improved?
  • Add a field trip to Canberra
  • Require slightly less reading in the classes
  • Include public transportation in program fee
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have packed a few outfits that I wouldn't mind wearing to the outback -- red dirt stains shoes pretty badly. Otherwise, I think the reading material and IES staff did a pretty good job of making sure I was prepared for the program.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'